Google Docs Web Site: http://docs.google.com google_docs.jpg


Using Google Docs:


  1. Set up and account by navigating to http://docs.google.com on your web browser
  2. Instructions for setting up an account are at the site (you can create an account using your existing e-mail address
  3. Once you set-up a Google Account it will be your "pass key" into all the Google Applications

Creating a New Google Document File

Step #1: Sign in with your Google Account
Step #2: Click the "New Document" link, located on the upper left-hand side of the screen.
Step #3: From the dropdown menu, select Document.

How To Format Documents for Use in Word
  • Google Documents can't be cut and pasted into Microsoft Word—without the formatting getting all messed up, along with the font, size of the letters, and a lot of other stuff.
  • Excellent Workaround--instead of copying, go to "File" and choose "export as Word." This will preserve your formatting and save the document in a Word format.

Getting a Word Count
  • Word count feature is located in the FILE drop down menu
  • Word counts are slightly different in Google Documents than in Word
  • Google is a bit more lenient on what constitutes a separate word
  • Most schools and jobs will go by what Word says, so be sure to export to word if word count
docsetting.jpg
Google Document Settings

  • || Google Document Settings ||
is important!

Document Settings
  • Defaults for documents can be set to select the opening font, line spacing and background color.
  • Located under FILE→ Document settings

How To Share a Document and Track Revisions
Google docs has the ability to share a document with multiple users, letting users change (or just view) files. For group projects, this can be a fantastic way to collaborate* Click on the "Share" button in the upper right hand corner of a Google document.
  • You can invite viewers, or collaborators (send them an e-mail invite OR not)
  • Once multiple users are working with a document, hit the "Revisions" tab to track all the revisions and roll back unnecessary changes
  • With multiple collaborators working at once, it is best to simply “refresh” rather than SAVE. (could “wipe out” others work)

Starring Documents
  • Click the star next to a document name in the folder view to highlight that document as important.
  • Stars help prioritize documents when you have a lot of projects going
  • Click on the star at the top of the column to bring “starred’ documents to the top of the column

Rename a Google Document File: Once you save a document, you can rename the document. From the FILE tab, click the Rename option and a dialog box will open allowing the document to be renamed.

How are Teachers Using Google Docs?

  • ease of students sharing and collaborating on written projects and presentations
  • documenting revisions and the ability to "roll back" to previous revisions when students "accidentally" delete
  • work from any computer that has Internet access--no more leaving work at home, school, etc.
  • work is saved automatically
  • access documents from anywhere with internet acess
  • http://www.google.com/educators/weeklyreader.html